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Bailey

Owner of Diane

Last year I read Hugo by Brian Selznick. I liked the book and the illustrations (I haven’t seen the movie yet.) So, when I saw that Brian Selznick had a new book out, Wonderstruck, I was eager to look at it. When I opened the book, the first thing I saw was “Gunflint Lake, Minnesota 1977”.

I was so excited, I used to play at a cabin on Gunflint Lake! I have so many memories of running wild in the woods, swimming in the big lake. My owner was actually up there in 1977 (I wasn’t born yet.)

Just like the first book, the story is told through pictures and words. There are actually two stories that are woven into one. Ben was the boy from Minnesota. I liked the Minnesota connections because they talked about my cousins, the wolves! Who doesn’t love hearing about Minnesota wolves. It brought back so many memories of northern Minnesota. I could actually picture the placed they were talking about, so fun.

Rose is the other character, she lives in New York City and is deaf. It was really cool to see the different perspectives. You know dogs, we depend on our hearing so much, it was difficult to imagine not being able to hear. I learned a lot of different ways you can communicate.

When Rose and Ben meet up in New York City, the book took a big twist. I don’t want to give it away, you’ll need to read it yourself.

I would highly recommend this book, I think it is much better than Hugo. Check it out!!

I just finished reading Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. I loved this book, didn’t even eat any of it. (If you read my other reviews you may remember when I first started reading I would occasionally eat the book as I read it!) Anyway, do you believe in a magical world? Do you think things exist that you may not be able to see? If so, this may be a book you’d like to devour.  

Fablehaven is a magical preserve. There are amazing animals and creatures who live there. The story is an adventure like I have never read before. There were some very scary parts for the humans, and also parts when I laughed out loud.

I don’t want to give too much away (you need to read it yourself!) but in this story the humans drink milk from a magical cow… and the things they see! It’s amazing. I want some of that milk because I would love to be able to chase after the fairies, they would be more challenging than my usual tennis balls! You’ll have to read it to find out more details. I can’t wait to start the second book (there are five books in the series.)

Bailey is thrilled that school is out for the summer; that means more time at the dog park! The fourth graders ended the school year listening to Wabi - A Hero's Tale by Joseph Bruchac. The students were afraid we wouldn’t finish and begged for longer read aloud time. Several times, when Diane tried to stop reading, they began chanting ‘Wabi, Wabi’ until she relented and kept reading. The students were enthralled with the idea of an owl choosing to become human. Would you want to change to an animal? What animal would you choose? Why? They had many discussions and ideas about changing to a different form. It was interesting to hear their arguments. They also had great predictions about how the story would progress and end. They were usually wrong, but pleasantly surprised. Engaging and fun to read, the fourth graders strongly recommend this book!!

Bailey is very proud of Diane's progress as a teacher in the Minneapolis School System -- due no doubt to Bailey's cover-licking good review of The Birchbark House series. Diane says that her second grade class listens avidly as she reads these books aloud. They are fascinated by Ojibwe life ways in The Birchbark House. They are surprised that they have played the same games and encountered the same sort of obtuse grown ups as those who appear in The Game of Silence. The children are interested in the annoying little brother exploits of Pinch, in The Porcupine Year. Bailey loves Pinch best because he suffers a dog's frequent fate -- quilled by a porcupine. One of the teachings passed down by dog elders is AVOID THE QUILLED CREATURE. There are so many lessons for children. Bailey thinks Diane should be grateful for the recommendation, but she keeps these books on a high shelf. Out of reach. And they look so delicious!

Bailey is discriminating and prefers eating hardcovers to paperbacks.  Bailey seems for some reason to find the Erdrich title wherever Diane hides it.  Is it something in the writing -- meatiness, juiciness, all of the sensory detail?  Or is there cow hoof glue in the binding?  (One is sad to think the latter, and everyone hopes that animal parts are NOT used in the binding of books.)  But Bailey's distinct passion for the hardcover makes a person wonder.  Bailey recently tore into The Painted Drum and suffered no ill effects -- a great review.  The Painted Drum is apparently non toxic and easily digested.